Equal groups give multiplication meaning
Four groups of six contain 4 × 6 objects. An array makes both the groups and the total visible. Turning the array helps explain why 4 × 6 and 6 × 4 have the same product.
Split a factor into easier parts
The distributive property lets you multiply each part and add the results. Place value makes this especially useful for two-digit factors: multiplying by 14 means multiplying by 10 and by 4.
A mistake to avoid
The 1 in the tens place of 14 represents 10, not 1. In a written method, the second partial product must preserve that tens value.
Worked example
Explain 23 × 14
Split 14 into 10 + 4. Then 23 × 14 = 23 × 10 + 23 × 4 = 230 + 92 = 322. The answer is close to 20 × 15 = 300, which provides a useful rough check.